I Became the Hero Who Banished the Protagonist chapter 129

129. I didn’t even step on an earthworm, but the snake squirmed (2)

The scenery of Evernode was different from what Pablo remembered. Residents who were preparing for the festival lowered their signs and transported supplies. The expression of the owner who sent the northern horses to the army was spleen. The smithy was constantly turning, melting and pounding the hard iron of the north. Arrowheads, spearheads, blades, armor and helmets were made and carried.

“… This is Evernode. It is a completely different landscape from last time.”

“The North is a place where, once you start preparing for war, you will be more prepared than anywhere else in this kingdom. Not only this castle, but the frozen lands of the north move as one to annihilate the enemy.”

Outside the castle, a communication network and supply network with nearby small towns in the north was being established. Materials came and went, people came and went. The young men who passed through the gates of Evernode with strong expressions looked more like reserve trainees than refugees. Where they were going was decided. It was a volunteer enlistment window located in the middle of downtown Evernode.

“It seems there is no difficulty in gathering soldiers.”

At the volunteer enlistment window, there was a long line of people of all ages and genders. Soldiers picked out those who were too young to enlist and either sent them home or introduced them to other support jobs.

“Number doesn’t matter. The important thing is how much you can train them before a full-scale battle takes place. Evernode’s citadel exists to protect them, not because they exist to protect Evernode’s citadel.”

Contrary to what he said, Luke’s expression seemed proud when he spoke as if he wasn’t very happy. The northern heat was strange. It is a barren land, but people loved this land. The heat seemed to spread through Pablo’s heart on the wind like wildfire in winter. Pablo remembered the cold air he breathed in then. I remembered the stench of the monsters climbing up my nose.

“The last battle with the giant was an honor for Evernode, but it was also a humiliation at the same time. It was also a reminder of our arrogance. The North will be more vigilant.”

pride and regret. Come to think of it, during the last battle, Luke took on the role of leading the refugees. This time, I felt the will to not retreat from the battle.

“Victory to Evernode!”

“okay. A lot of hard work.”

The soldiers saluted the returning Luke with a nervous look on his face. After accepting their salute with a nod of the head, Luke immediately moved towards the headquarters where the Grand Duke of Quenore, the castle lord, was waiting. In Luke’s hand was the supply and demand of the monsters he had defeated in the last battle.

“You can look forward to it. We are stronger now than ever.”

jump.

Before Luke could knock on the command door, it opened. As soon as Pablo opened the door, he felt a huge chill over him and shuddered. strong. Much better than when I first met him. The blade forged by Winter stood in front of Pablo.

“I report you. We destroyed a group of medium-sized monsters, but none of them had intelligence.”

“Yeah, well done. Make supply and demand widely visible and boost morale.”

“As commanded.”

And, the gaze of the blade turned towards Pablo.

“A noble guest has come from afar.”

From nob le mtl dot com

The voice was genuinely happy. It was then that Pablo realized for the first time that awe and longing could be felt at the same time. The Grand Duke of the North, Quenore Strop, strode forward to face Pablo with a ferocious smile on his face. Its gait had the momentum of a giant, and its voice had the dignity to calm even the north wind.

“I said you guys are welcome to come to the North at any time, but it’s been a year and you’re showing your face.”

“sorry. The merits of the battle were small, so I couldn’t be condescending.”

“Who would think that coming to play is boastful? You guys need to be more assertive.”

It sounded like he was sad, but his voice wasn’t like that at all. Pablo smiled as well and grabbed Quenore’s outstretched hand with both hands. In the hands of the Grand Duke of the North, he felt the mountains.

“How have you been doing?”

“I thought it would become a little peaceful, but it seems that the world doesn’t give me a chance to rest.”

The two exchange jokes. But for a while, Pablo hardened his face as he recalled the matter to be discussed with the Northern Duke. The Archduke, on the other hand, did not erase the smile from his face and pointed to a chair and invited Pablo to sit down. Pablo knew where that laid-back attitude came from, without asking. strong. The Archduke had become noticeably stronger to the extent that even Pablo, a mediocre knight, could tell.

“Wouldn’t you like to sit down? I’ll listen to the situation with Luke and talk about what’s needed.”

Pablo nodded and opened the book in his arms. The current status of the royal road and the royal family, preparation for wartime, the movement of monsters, and the dynamics of the hero were written in detail. With Pablo’s explanation, Archduke Quenore’s eyebrows slowly lowered as he read the bibliography, finding their own shape.

“… okay. It was a difficult situation in many ways. Your Majesty must be in trouble too. There has never been anything like this in the history of the kingdom, let alone in the time of the previous king.”

Archduke Quenor shook his head and returned the bibliography to Pablo. Pablo took out a new piece of paper and a pen and began drafting the report.

“How about the North?”

“It is as you see it. We are preparing with all our might for the coming war. It’s much denser than during the war with the giants. Having suffered measles once, the cooperation of the surrounding cities and residents is much easier.”

“It doesn’t look like they are preparing for a siege war.”

The power of Evernode did not revolve around the castle, but expanded widely and gained momentum. The Archduke of Quenore did not seem to deny him in particular.

“If you repeat Mercury, there is nothing to be gained in the end. If you collide with a monster during the defense, it will be the monster that wins. Even if you block it, if the damage is severe, it is as good as being defeated.”

It was a bittersweet word. Monsters could die, but humans couldn’t die. The castle shouldn’t collapse, and you shouldn’t be hurt. Even if the land burns, monsters can survive, but humans cannot.

“So, let’s go hunting first. You’re not carrying a giant on your back.”

Archduke Quenore’s words became momentum and filled the space.

“No, even if you’re carrying a giant on your back… .”

It was not a lie. The Archduke of Quenore greeted the giant with sincerity and seemed to have no problem dealing with it. In the blue eyes of the Archduke, Pablo faced the huge rippling sea. Magical power became waves in his sea, ready to swallow anything.

“… How strong have you become?”

“It’s not enough. Illroy gave me a clue to a new frontier. I am a latecomer, only following the milestones he has carved out.”

With a big smile, the Grand Duke said so. gaze into the past. His memory seemed to vividly recall the time he faced the giant. Memories soon melt and become magic power. The condensed mana became white frost and formed on the Archduke’s fist. The Grand Duke quickly brushed off the mana that had leaked out and put his hands together in the pod.

“… Okay, how is Illroy doing? Is it still unknown?”

Pablo nodded his head with difficulty.

“All I can say is that we are preparing something. Since all information is restricted, not many people know that the hero is not unconscious.”

“I’m preparing something… .”

Archduke Quenore shook his head in deep thought. For quite some time, the Archduke gazed at the desk in silence before raising his head. The blue eyes of the Archduke seemed to have a glint in them.

“okay. What matters is not what you prepare for. The important thing is that Hero Illroy needs time. In the meantime, we must prevent the world from being swallowed up by the waves of monsters.”

And then, a smile appeared on the grand duke’s face again.

“Where is there anything to worry about? I will finish everything before Illroy wakes up.”

The declaration was colored with a mixture of confidence and a sense of duty.

“Last time, Illroy protected us.”

The battle is burning. Pablo met the archduke’s eyes and involuntarily straightened his back.

“Now it’s Evernode’s turn to protect him.”

—

Father is coming.

Raising my head, I thought ‘it’. The “it” that inhaled the night dew and breath to its fullest, had the appearance of a gigantic lion. Smoke escaped from the lion’s mouth, which stood up while shaking its mane from side to side. The night could not hide the figure of the lion. The spirit of the lion was the spirit of the field. Without a sound or sign, the lion started running.

Riding the light, you will come down to open the door.

A gurgling sound came from the lion’s mouth. The wild grass bowed its head at the galloping feet. Tendons and veins sprouted from the lion’s neck and chest. The clouds were thick and the moon did not appear in the sky. It was a night when the wolf was quiet and the bear crouched. The lion ran through the endless southern plains. The lion’s mane, which was completely straight, had black tips.

The time has come. The time has come.

Blood was whispering. The blood entering and leaving the heart crossed like the ebb and flow of the sea. Blood rushed to every beating pulse, and it seemed like it was about to explode. The roar has long since passed the realm of reason and instinct. Like a storm penetrating a narrow cave, the lion’s whole body trembled and a sound resounded.

wake up, wake up

In the middle of the field, the lion let out a long, deep roar toward outer space. It sounded like an earthquake. As long as the giant is dead, the lion’s call is absolute. The demons began to wander and move. The lion raised his head. The night turned into a mist and slowly began to melt.

Are you coming, are you coming?

The lion’s golden eyes contained the night sky. The gaze of the lion, the magic power was looking beyond it. A comet that is slowly revealing its existence. And the aftermath of the comet.

I will be happy to welcome you. We will not allow anyone to stand in our way.

The lion looked back. Demonic spirits from the south were gathering in the field. The years they accumulated were a time that could not even be called an instant for a lion. The monsters looked at the lion that had summoned them. The lion stood there quietly, watching the gathering monsters.

The monster at the forefront was the strongest. The monster in the lead bowed its head, and the monsters in the back lowered their heads in unison. The lion gave them just one look, then looked up at the sky again. Between the stars, the long-awaited end is approaching.

—

14 days until the collision with the comet. When the world is immersed in the silence before the soon-to-be storm,

The largest movement of monsters in history was detected.